Eco-Friendly Building Decisions

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[B]Planning[/B]
• [B]Build for your region[/B]. Learn about your environment when designing and planning a green home. For example, light-color exteriors reflect heat from the sun, benefiting homes in warmer regions. Alternately, darker exteriors absorb heat for warmth in cold climates.

• [B]Build to suit your site[/B]. Instead of clear-cutting a lot, use existing trees for passive solar heating and cooling. You also can position your house so that low-angled rays from the winter sun will flood south-facing rooms, reducing dependence on expensive sources of energy.

[B]Construction[/B]
• [B]Choose materials wisely[/B]. Conservationist attitudes and economic efficiency guide green construction. Build with sustainable woods and recycled, reusable, and durable materials.

• [B]Minimize waste[/B]. Take advantage of local salvage companies to remove reusable construction waste, and ask your contractor about recycling options.

[B]Daily Life[/B]
• [B]Go for the savings[/B]. Superior insulation and energy-efficient appliances will significantly cut energy costs throughout the life of your home.

• [B]Conserve resources[/B]. Use drought-resistant plants and adequate drainage systems outdoors, and efficient pipe systems and sink and faucet aerators indoors.

• [B]Stay healthy[/B]. The air quality inside green homes is often far superior to that of conventional homes. Low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and nontoxic insulation and flooring, for example, can cause fewer allergies, asthma problems, and skin sensitivities.